Collecting California junipers with Mike and Ian

[Si Nguyen]

Last week I was fortunate to tag along with a small group of 3 people on a California juniper dig in the Mojave desert, a place our club Kofu Bonsai Kai used to go to many years ago. Harry Hirao still go there I think. It is really different now. Much more developed. There are now wide open asphalt roads leading all the way to the top of the peaks. The view is still spectacular, especially if you like the desert like I do. I didn't take too many pics of the trees. Maybe Mike and Ian can put up more pics of the collected trees later.
Enjoy!
Si

 

[Si Nguyen]

Here are some more pics.

 

[Victrinia Ensor]

Sweet!!! What did you get???

V

 

[Si Nguyen]

Hi Vicky, I didn't collect any thing. I couldn't decide! There were thousands of junipers and I couldn't decide! I marked a few for next time though. Ian and Mike collected a few really nice short twisty ones. I just came along to help out and enjoy the scenery.

 

[Victrinia Ensor]

Oh Si... you are such a goose... I promise... if I ever take you out huntin'... I'll help you decide. lol

V

 

[ianb]

Don't believe him Vic, he is just really picky and I don't think we had time to find the best area yet, plus we were size constrained by our transport. Next time though, we already have our eyes on some beauties.

Here is the juniper I got, sorry for the crappy pics but you get the idea.

 

[Si Nguyen]

Hey Ian, nice to see you doing someting other than watching football. I feel for your English team my friend. Where's the English hooligans when we need them? Me, I am done with FIFA Futbal. I will never watch another FIFA game again as long as I live. So many bad calls in so many games! What a disgrace!

OK, that's a nice cali juniper you got there! If I hadn't come along, you'd still be digging it right now.

 

[bonhe]

Hey Ian, nice to see you doing someting other than watching football. I feel for your English team my friend. Where's the English hooligans when we need them? Me, I am done with FIFA Futbal. I will never watch another FIFA game again as long as I live. So many bad calls in so many games! What a disgrace!

OK, that's a nice cali juniper you got there! If I hadn't come along, you'd still be digging it right now.

Hi Si, I'm feeling bad when I missed this opportunity . However, I'm happy when you guys had a really good time. Anyway, did you take the pictures with your new Nikon? They look great.

Hi Ian, I believe that Si really enjoyed to help you dig the tree out. If I'm not mistaken, he used to tell me that one of his enjoyable time was dig the tree, even though it belonged to other person
Bonhe

 

[ianb]

Hey Ian, nice to see you doing someting other than watching football. I feel for your English team my friend. Where's the English hooligans when we need them? Me, I am done with FIFA Futbal. I will never watch another FIFA game again as long as I live. So many bad calls in so many games! What a disgrace!

OK, that's a nice cali juniper you got there! If I hadn't come along, you'd still be digging it right now.

Jeez don't remind me - we wuz robbed

I was on the verge of filling the hole back in When you brought along your trusty saw and made short work of the rest of it. Many thanks Bro.

Bonhe, next time you should come if possible. I'm thinking of renting one of these for the next trip so we can snag some bigger stuff:

 

[bonhe]

Bonhe, next time you should come if possible. I'm thinking of renting one of these for the next trip so we can snag some bigger stuff:

Hi Ian, of course I want to go. How about a U-haul truck?
Bonhe

 

[Si Nguyen]

...did you take the pictures with your new Nikon? They look great.

Hi Bonhe, no, I used my small camera, but it's not too shabby either. It's an 8 mega pixel "point and shoot" Nikon. Bring your camera over next time. I need some practice and tips on my new set up.
You missed out this time. It was a fun trip. I do enjoy digging. We dug one awesome tree up for Mike in 15 minutes with no sweat! I can't wait to go again, but we can't until next year. It is too hot already. Remind me to bring a tent next time. We could have used one.

Si

 

[Si Nguyen]

if I ever take you out huntin'... I'll help you decide. lol

V

What do you mean IF? You're on! I have the memory of an elephant. You point I dig. I need to collect something in Oregon before I die. It's on my bucket list.

Si

 

[Dwight]

Ian , what potting mix are you using ? Looks like pure pumice.

 

[bonhe]

Hi Bonhe, no, I used my small camera, but it's not too shabby either. It's an 8 mega pixel "point and shoot" Nikon. Bring your camera over next time. I need some practice and tips on my new set up.
You missed out this time. It was a fun trip. I do enjoy digging. We dug one awesome tree up for Mike in 15 minutes with no sweat! I can't wait to go again, but we can't until next year. It is too hot already. Remind me to bring a tent next time. We could have used one.

Si

Good idea Si. Bonhe

 

[ianb]

Ian , what potting mix are you using ? Looks like pure pumice.

Dwight, yup thats about it, triple washed to get rid of the dust by yours truly. After doing more than 7 gallons of the stuff I've almost grown back my fingerprints - hands are nice and smooth though

 

[alonsou]

Its nice to see that there's some members of the Kofu Kai club on OC.. (Si Nguyen).... I'm ready to join the club this Saturday meeting, been looking for a club for some time now but I just couldn't make my mind, guess the best option here (for me at least) its Kofu Kai (having a bonsai master like Harry Hirao close must be a great experience, also being really close from home )

Si Nguyen,

Do you now when the next collecting trip its going to be?

I would love to be part of, even if I don't collect anything just being out in the wild around many bonsai experts should be a great experience and would give me more knowledge for future collecting trips.

Hope to meet you this Saturday